My world has pretty much stood still since 4:15 Thursday afternoon. At first I had no clue what was going on. I was just going about my business assuming a power crew was working in my area. I even called the electric company to report a problem, not even imagining how big this was.

I was on the shitter, doing my bidness, when the phone rings and rings and rings. Of course I don't answer it cause obviously I was a little busy. But the person calls back and I figure it must be important, so I get off the shitter, waddle with my pants around my ankles to the phone, and it's my mom. She's on the verge of freaking out, saying "Are you ok? I was so worried."

I said, "Uhh yeah, I was taking a shit. Why are you trippin'?"

She says, "The power is out there, right?"

"Yeah, how'd you know that?!"

"Honey it's out everywhere; Toronto, New York, Cleveland. Have you been listening to the radio?"

"Holy shit, for real? Is it terrorism?? And why would I just be listening to the radio? Who does that? You know they're going to be calling this the Blackout of 2003."

Laughs and apocalyptic thoughts and comments ensue. A pat on the back to me for calling the name of this event.

The first night wasn't that bad. The top level of my home was BLAZING, but the first level and the basement were nice. I busted out the handheld TV and watched my shows; the Amazing Race, CSI, and Without a Trace. I went to sleep at midnight, which I don't do often but there was seriously nothing else to do. Fortunately I slept in the basement, which has stayed cool throughout, but it's dark as hell down there and full of creepy crawlies and scurrying critters that freak me out!

The house was so quiet. No fans, no AC, no tv, no computers humming, no dishwasher, laundry, etc...just silence. And the habit of turning light switches on stuck with me. I would walk into a room and flip the switch and nothing would happen, and it took a few seconds to register...duh!

I knew the next day was going to be bad, and I was right. Because I went to bed so damn early I got up early, 9 a.m. The temperature in the house was rising, I could tell as I walked up the stairs from the basement, the temp changed probably 5 or 10 degrees. The excitement of this event had stayed behind me in the basement at this point. There was no water on the 2nd level, a trickle on the 1st, and a lil' bit in the basement. So no shower, but I HAD to brush the queen lateefahs and wash my face.

Cell phone service has been really sketchy during these past few days. I went from having some service in my home to having none, not even roam. So I had to kick it old school to get in touch with my sister, meaning I had to drive to her place little house on the prairie style. Once there we decided to head downtown (Detroit) cause my mom's office had power. We, of course who wouldn't, assumed they would have AC, but no. It was hotter than the devil's own ass down there.

And to make matter's worse we somehow got volunteered to drive copies of the newspaper with press releases to the media outlets around town. One of these places was in the ghetto. I'm talking nudey bars on every corner. By the time we were done it was 1:30. I remember looking at the functioning clock in my car and being really depressed that it was ONLY 1:30. I wanted the day to go by faster.

By the time the afternoon rolled around I was out of things to occupy my time with, so I took a nap. I don't do naps, but yesterday I did a 2 hour nap! By 5 my mom was home, it was hot, the fridges were leaking, and we were tired and smelly. So we cleaned out the fridges filling up 2 garbage cans with just fucking crap. We gave in and went to a friends house who welcomed us with open arms...cooking for us, cleaning up after us, and letting us share their space. It was an awesome thing and it felt so good to shower!

The power in my area actually came back on last night but we were being taken care of so well we didn't want to come back to our house and have to wait for the house to cool down. But this morning we were back in action, and it feels great!

It's amazing how much we take for granted. We are constantly being beamed at with something, whether it's TV, internet, telephone, air conditioning, heat, refrigerators, microwaves, etc. And as soon as these things are taken away a boredom sets in. The synapses in my brain are craving stimulation, and when there is none anxiety prevails. I have become so used to having my computer with internet ready when I want it, and having the temperature in my house regulated to my comfort, and even cooking food has become a necessity. And as the population grows and society evolves these conveniences we take for granted today are going to grow. Soon we'll have machines that wipe our asses. Ahhh, but wouldn't that be great.